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Systemic Diseases and Disorders

Systemic diseases and disorders is a category in the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) of the Bureau of Labor Statistics that is used to describe the nature of a worker's job-related illness. When a worker suffers an illness that is job-related, that illness is placed in the appropriate category in the OIICS.

The word "systemic" pertains to a system, as opposed to a particular part. When systemic is used in reference to a disease or disorder, it refers to a disease or disorder that affects a number of tissues and organs or the body as a whole. As it relates to workers' compensation, systematic diseases and disorders are diseases that a worker develops as a result of their work environment or the nature of their work for their employer.

OIICS Subcategories of Systemic Diseases and Disorders

There are several sub-categories under systemic diseases and disorders in the OIICS. Some of these are:

• Systemic diseases and disorders, unspecified - This is used to refer to a systemic disease or disorder that is not specified.
• Diseases of the blood and blood forming organs - This is for purpura and other hemorrhagic conditions.
• Nervous system and sense organs diseases - This is used for disorders of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
• Circulatory system diseases - This is used for things like rheumatic fever with heart involvement, hypertensive disease, ischemic heart disease, and diseases of the arteries and veins.
• Respiratory system diseases - This is used for things like acute respiratory infections, pneumonia, influenza and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Digestive system diseases and disorders - This includes various forms of hernia.
• Genitourinary system diseases and disorders - This is used for things like urinary system diseases and genital tract diseases and disorders.
• Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases and disorders - This is used for things like arthropathies, dorsopathies, rheumatism (except for the back) and osteopathies.
• Disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue - This includes infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, dermatitis and other inflammatory conditions of the skin.
• Other systemic diseases and disorders - This includes systemic diseases and disorders, n.e.c.. This refers to systemic diseases and disorders that are not classified somewhere else (n.e.c.), not elsewhere classified.

Types of Work With a High Risk for Systemic Diseases and Disorders

There are certain types of work that have a high risk for systemic diseases and disorders. Some of these include:

• Miners
• Installers
• Asbestos workers
• Construction workers
• Healthcare workers
• Mechanics
• Printers
• Industrial workers
• Workers in technology

Possible Injuries Resulting From Systemic Diseases and Disorders

There are many signs and symptoms that can result from systematic diseases and disorders. Some of the most serious include:

• Lung diseases
• Various forms of cancer
• Various heart problems

Can I Get Workers Comp for Systemic Diseases and Disorders?

Because these are diseases and disorders and not injuries, you may think that you will not be eligible for workers' compensation. However, one of the good things about workers' compensation is that it applies to and covers work-related diseases and disorders, as well as work-related injuries. If your systemic disease or disorder was caused by your work environment or the nature of your work for your employer, you are eligible for workers' compensation.